Kicking shoe attachment for propelling kick scooters and the like

ABSTRACT

A kicking shoe attachment for use by the rider of a kick scooter or the like having an elongated body with a flat upper surface with a skid resistant upper sole thereupon, and an opposing curvilinear lower surface with a wear resistant lower sole disposed thereupon. The elongated body may be split apart horizontally and two or more springs may be placed between the upper and lower body portions. Alternately, a block of a resilient material may be substituted for the springs. An opening may be placed in the upper surface of the elongated body to receive the protruding heel of typically a woman&#39;s heeled shoe or boot. A harness or quick-release safety binding is provided to retain a riders foot to the kicking shoe attachment. A tether may be provided for securing the kicking shoe attachment when not in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to an attachment for footwear and, moreparticularly, to an attachment for a shoe or boot worn by the “kicking”foot of a rider of a kick scooter or the like to minimize the bending ofa rider's leg standing on the kick scooter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kick scooters are well known and widely used. In addition, so-calledskate boards have become widely used in recent years. A rider,particularly of a kick scooter places one of his or her feet on thehorizontal wheeled platform of the kick scooter and uses his or herother foot to exert pressure against the ground. In accordance withNewton's Third Law, for every action, there is an equal and oppositereaction. Consequently the pushing action of a rider's foot against theground imparts motion (typically forward motion) to the kick scooter.

Once the kick scooter is in motion, the rider may lift his or her“kicking” foot and coast until such time the friction slows the kickscooter and additional pushing is required from the rider.

This action requires constant bending of the rider's leg that stands onthe scooter platform while the rider's other leg pushes the scooterforward by kicking back the ground. Such constant leg bending and theresulting shifting of a rider's weight upward and downward with each legbend, may be very tiring.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Several attempts are found in the prior art to provide foot wear thatembeds some mechanism in the sole or other lower portion of a shoe orboot that might help alleviate the bending of a kick scooter rider'snon-kicking leg.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,531 for SPRING SPACE SHOE issued Feb. 3, 2004 toBrian G. Rennex discloses a shoe having a spring biased, compressibleground engaging surface movable relative to the sole. Push-off isdiscussed (see FIGS. 5A -5C and Column 7, lines 14-41).

United States Published Patent Application No. 2014/0090277 publishedApr. 3, 2014 upon application by Michael S. Amos et al. shows a firstsole member 28 that can move relative to a second sole member 30 forpush off (paragraph 26). The sections 30, 28 are positioned fore andaft.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,583 issued Jan. 14, 2014 to Stephen Perenich shows ashoe with an extensible sole (FIGS. 11, 12, 31 and 32). Perenich alsohas U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,900,377; 7905,033; 7,913,422; 7,950,166; and8,627,582, all generally similar in disclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,096 for MOBILE PLATFROM ASSEMBLY issued Jul. 24,2012 to Jaime Alberto Reyes, Jr., discusses assisting with push-off in awheeled, body bearing vehicle.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0193684 forCONVERTIBLE SHOE published Aug. 6, 2009 upon application by LaurenceDiamond, shows a “footbed” 92 which may be stacked on a sole to modifywearer height (paragraph 41).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,984 for WALKING SHOE issued Sep. 7, 2004 to CarmineU. Jackinsky shows a thick sole deck for a shoe (FIG. 1).

None of the patents and published patent applications, taken singly, orin any combination are seen to teach or suggest the Kicking ShoeAttachment for Propelling Kick Scooters and the Like of the presentinvention.

It would, therefore, be beneficial to provide an attachment for a shoeor boot to be worn on the kicking foot of the rider of a kick scooterthat would minimize the amount of leg bending typically required whenriding a kick scooter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an accessoryattachable to the shoe of a kick scooter rider. A kick scooter rider hasa stationary foot placed on the platform of the kick scooter. Therider's other foot (i.e., the kicking foot) is used to propel the kickscooter. As the rider “kicks” the ground, the stationary leg must bendwith each pushing stroke. As the stationary leg bends, the entire weightof the rider is supported thereupon. The constant flexing of thestationary leg may be very tiring.

Attaching the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with the inventionto the shoe of the kicking foot of the rider effectively extends thelength of the kicking leg allowing the bottom of the kicking shoeattachment to contact the ground with little or no bending of therider's stationary leg.

A main body of the kicking shoe attachment is formed from anylightweight sturdy material (e.g., aluminum, plastic, etc.) and may bemade in one or two parts. In a two-part body, the parts are arranged oneabove the other with a resilient structure sandwiched between the upperand lower body portions. The resilient structure may include one or moresprings or it may be formed from an elastomeric material. The resilientstructure between the upper and lower body portions reduce the shock tothe kicking leg.

The main body includes a substantially flat upper surface and is adaptedto receive the shoe of the rider thereupon. In an alternate embodimentthe flat upper surface may include an optional depression to accommodatethe hill of a woman's shoe. An upper sole, typically made of rubber orany other suitable non-skid and/or cushioning material is attached tothe upper surface of the upper body portion. The upper sole provides astable surface to support the kicking leg of the kick scooter rider.

The bottom surface of the main body is preferable a convex curve toprovide good contact with the ground during the entire duration of thekicking or propelling stroke as the angle of the kicking leg relative tothe ground changes. A lower sole also made from rubber or any othersuitable durable material is attached to the curved lower surface of thelower body portion. The lower sole provides good traction during thecontact with the ground.

The height of main body, including upper and lower soles is ideallychosen to be substantially equal to the height of the scooter's platformabove the ground. Such a height ensures the rider's legs are alwayslevel with one another.

An adjustable harness is attached to the upper surface of the upper bodyportion typically using a quick-release or other safety binding devices.The harness retains the shoe of the kick scooter rider tightly againstthe upper sole of the upper body portion of the kicking shoe attachment.

A tether or other security device may be included to lock the novelkicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure when it is not inuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational, schematic view of a first, solid bodyembodiment of the kicking shoe attachment in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan, schematic view of the kicking shoe attachment asshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, schematic view of the kicking shoeattachment with a laminated solid body.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, schematic view of a second embodiment ofthe kicking shoe attachment with springs within the body in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational, schematic view of a third embodiment ofthe kicking shoe attachment with resilient material within the body inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational, schematic view of a fourth embodiment ofthe kicking shoe attachment with weight-reducing holes within the bodyin accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational, schematic of the kicking shoe attachmentof FIG. 1 but having a tether attached to the main body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an attachment for a shoe to facilitatepropelling a kick scooter, skateboard, or similar planar device.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a side elevational, schematicview of first embodiment of a kicking shoe attachment in accordance withthe invention, generally at reference number 100.

A solid main body 102 has a substantially flat upper surface 104, and aconvex lower surface 106. In this embodiment, main body 102 is formedfrom a solid piece of sturdy, lightweight material. Such lightweight,sturdy materials include lightweight metals such as aluminum andpolymers such as ABS. It will be recognized that numerous otherlightweight, sturdy materials may be known to those of skill in the artand, consequently, the invention is not limited by the material exampleschosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended toinclude any suitable material.

An upper sole 108 is fastened to the upper surface 104 of main body 102.Upper sole 108 is typically formed from rubber, either natural orartificial, or from another polymeric elastomer. Upper sole 108 isideally formed from a non-slip material upon which the shoe of a riderof the device being used with kicking attachment 100 rests. Further, theinvention is not intended to be limited to the material chosen forpurposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention is intended to include anysuitable materials.

A lower sole 110 is fastened to a lower, convex, curvilinear surface 106of main body 102. Lower sole 110 is formed from a wear resistantmaterial designed to wear well as lower sole 110 is kicked against thehorizontal surface on which the kick scooter, etc. is being propelled bya rider thereof. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art thatlower sole 110 may be attached to lower, convex, curvilinear surface 106in a manner that facilitates its replacement when worn or damaged.Device and/or methods for replaceably fastening lower sole 110 to lowersurface 106 are believed to be well known to those of skill in the areaand, consequently such devices and/or methods are not further discussedherein.

A front retaining strap 114 or similar structure is disposed forward onupper sole 108. Front retaining strap 114 is adapted to adjustably andsecurely retain the toe region of the rider's shoe against upper sole108. A hook-and-loop fastening system is typically utilized to providethe adjustability required for the application. The hook-and-loopfastening system has a first portion 120 of either hook or loop materialand second portion 122 formed from the opposite one of hook or loopmaterial, disposed on surfaces of front retaining strap 114 in waysbelieved to be well known to those of skill in the art.

A heel cup 118 is disposed on upper sole 108 proximate a rear edgethereof. Heel cup 118 positions and retains the heel portion of arider's shoe. Heel cup 118 may be movably attached to upper sole 108using mechanism and methods believed to be well known to those of skillin the art to accommodate footwear of different lengths.

A substantially circular opening in upper sole 108 provides access to ahollow heel receiver 112 formed in solid body 102. Heel receiver 112 isprovided to accept a protruding heel attached to the sole of footwear,typically women's footwear. Heel receiver 112 typically has and invertedfrustoconical form. If heel cup 118 is movably attached to upper sole108, substantially circular opening 112 may be replaced with anelongated slot, not shown.

The combination of elongated main body 102, upper sole 108, and lowersole 110 has a height 124.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a top plan, elevationalview of the kicking shoe attachment of FIG. 1. As may be seen, main body102 has an elongated, ovulate shape corresponding roughly to the outlineof a shoe or boot.

Front retaining strap 114 or similar structure disposed forward on uppersole 108, may be replaced with numerous other footwear retentionmechanisms believed to be well known to those of skill in the art. Onesuch well-known, useful replacement could be a quick release bindingmechanism, not shown, commonly used on skis, skateboards, etc.

Additionally, heel cup 118 may be made adjustable along the major axis126 of elongated main body as shown by arrow 128. Mechanisms allowingsuch adjustment are also believed to be well known to those of skill inthe art and any suitable mechanism may be used to provide suchadjustability.

It will be further recognized that main body 102 may alternatively beformed by laminated layers. Referring now also to FIG. 3, there is showna side elevational, schematic view of a kicking shoe attachment havingsuch an elongated main body construction. Main body 102 as shown in FIG.1 is replaced by a laminated body 130 comprising a plurality of layers132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n. Layers 132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n may be formedfrom a single material such as wood, plastic, etc. In alternatedembodiments, layers 132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n may be formed from two ormore different materials. In one possible construction, layers of corkmay be interspersed among layers of wood or plastic to provide acushioning effect for the kicking foot, not shown.

Elongated main body 102 lends itself well to formation by the process ofsolid printing. As solid printing technically produces a layeredstructure, a solid printed elongated main body would be crudelyrepresented as elongated main body 130.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, there is shown a side elevational,schematic view of a second embodiment of the kicking shoe attachmentwith springs within the elongated main body, generally at referencenumber 150.

In the kicking shoe attachment 150 elongated main body 102 of kickingshoe attachment 100 is split into two portions; and upper body portion152 and a lower body portion 154. Each of upper body portion 152 andlower body portion 154 is thinner than solid main body 102.

Coil springs 156 are interposed between a lower surface of upper bodyportion 152 and an upper surface of lower body portion 154. Springs 156are typically coil springs having sufficient stiffness to maintainconnective integrity between upper body portion 152 and lower bodyportion 154 while providing a kicking assist to the rider of a kickscooter.

While coil springs 156 are shown for purposes of disclosure, it will berecognized by those of skill in the art that springs of other types, forexample, leaf springs, may readily be substituted for coil springs 156.Consequently, the invention is not considered limited to the coilsprings chosen for purposes of disclosure. Rather, the invention isintended to include any and all other suitable forms of springs.

Referring now also to FIG. 5, there is shown a side elevational,schematic view of a third embodiment of the kicking shoe attachment withsprings within the body generally at reference number 200.

In kicking shoe attachment 200, springs 156 are replaced by a block of aresilient material 202. Materials such as polyurethanes, latex, orpolyether urethanes (EU) elastomeric foam have been found suitable forthe application. It will be recognized by those of skill in that artthat suitable other material may be available. Consequently, theinvention is not considered limited to the materials chosen for purposesof disclosure. It is anticipated that kicking shoe attachment 200 isless expensive to manufacture while still providing the kicking assistbenefits of kicking shoe attachment 150. Resilient material 202 mayreadily be adhesively attached to a lower surface of upper body portion152 and an upper surface of lower body portion 154.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, there is shown a side elevational,schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the kicking shoe attachmentwith a one piece body generally at reference number 250.

Kicking shoe attachment 250 is nearly the same as kicking shoeattachment 100 with the exception that solid main body 102 is replacedwith a main body 252 that has a plurality of through holes 254 from sideto side. Through holes 254 are provided to reduce the weight of kickingshoe attachment 150 while maintaining the necessary height andstructural integrity.

While through holes 254 are shown in a regular pattern for purposes ofdisclosure, it may be desirable to arrange through holes 254 in a morerandom pattern for structural purposes.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, there is shown the kicking shoe attachmentof FIG. 1 with an attached tether 260. Tether 260 is securely anchoredin elongated main body 102 and extends outwardly therefrom. A lockingapparatus, not shown, may be used to attach tether 160 to elongated mainbody 102.

A locking device useful for securing kicking shoe attachment to anenvironmental structure is shown schematically at reference number 262at a distal end, not specifically identified, of tether 260.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
 1. Akicking shoe attachment, comprising: an elongated main body having asubstantially flat upper surface, a spaced apart curvilinear lowersurface, said curvilinear surface forming a smooth convex curve, and aheight; an upper sole covering substantially the entirety of saidsubstantially flat upper surface; a lower sole covering substantiallythe entirety of said curvilinear lower surface; means for adjustablysecuring at least a toe region of footwear of a user of said kickingshoe attachment to said upper sole; and a heel cup configured forlocating and retaining a heel portion of said footwear of a user of saidkicking shoe attachment, said heel cup being slidably attached to saidupper sole, and moveable along a major axis of said upper sole.
 2. Thekicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, further comprising: anopening in said upper sole proximate said means for locating a heelcoincident with an opening in said upper surface of said elongated mainbody, said openings accessing a heel-receiving hollow in said elongatedmain body.
 3. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 2 whereinsaid opening in said upper surface of said elongated main body isrelocatable along a major axis of said upper sole.
 4. The kicking shoeattachment as recited in claim 3 wherein said heel receiving hollow hasa shape chosen from the group: an inverted, substantially frustoconicalshape, and an elongated slot.
 5. The kicking shoe attachment as recitedin claim 1, wherein said elongated main body portion comprises a solidmain body portion.
 6. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 5,wherein said solid main body portion comprises a plurality of throughholes from side to side disposed in a pattern selected from the group: aregular pattern and a random pattern.
 7. The kicking shoe attachment asrecited in claim 5, wherein said solid main body portion comprises ahorizontally laminated main body portion.
 8. The kicking shoe attachmentas recited in claim 1, wherein said main body portion comprises an upperbody portion and a lower body portion separated horizontally in a planesubstantially parallel to said upper surface, said upper body portionand said lower body portion being spaced apart in a vertical dimension.9. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 7, wherein saidspaced apart upper body portion and said lower portion are joined by atleast two springs, each having a respective end attached to a lowersurface of said upper body portion and to an upper surface of said lowerbody portion.
 10. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 9,wherein said at least two springs comprise at least one selected fromthe group: coil springs, leaf springs, and other forms of spring. 11.The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 8, wherein said spacedapart upper body portion and said lower portion are joined by at leastone piece of a resilient material, said at least one piece of resilienthaving an upper surface attached to a lower surface of said upper bodyportion and an lower surface attached to an upper surface of said lowerbody portion.
 12. The kicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1,wherein said upper sole comprises at least one selected from the group:natural rubber, artificial rubber, and a polymeric elastomer.
 13. Thekicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said lower solecomprises a wear resistant material.
 14. The kicking shoe attachment asrecited in claim 13, wherein said lower sole is removably attached tosaid curvilinear lower surface to facilitate its replacement.
 15. Thekicking shoe attachment as recited in claim 1, wherein said means forsecuring at least a toe region of footwear of a user of said kickingshoe attachment to said upper sole comprises one selected from thegroup: an adjustable harness attached to said upper surface of said bodyportion; and a quick-release safety binding device.
 16. The kicking shoeattachment as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a tether attachedto said elongated body and adapted and configured for securely attachingsaid kicking shoe attachment to an environmental structure when not inuse.